Tearing Down IKEA’S Sonos Speaker
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/11/tearing-down-ikeas-sonos-speaker/
There’s little better way to learn about a piece of electronics than by tearing it down. Taking a peek under the hood can reveal all manner of things about a device’s design, manufacturing, and origins. [This Does Not Compute] does a great job of doing just that, digging into the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/11/tearing-down-ikeas-sonos-speaker/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/11/tearing-down-ikeas-sonos-speaker/
There’s little better way to learn about a piece of electronics than by tearing it down. Taking a peek under the hood can reveal all manner of things about a device’s design, manufacturing, and origins. [This Does Not Compute] does a great job of doing just that, digging into the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/11/tearing-down-ikeas-sonos-speaker/)
Fast Video Covers Coax Velocity Factor
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/11/fast-video-covers-coax-velocity-factor/
We once saw an interview test for C programmers that showed a structure with a few integer, floating point, and pointer fields. The question: How big is this structure? The correct answer was either “It depends,” or “sizeof(struct x).” The same could be said of the question “What is the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/11/fast-video-covers-coax-velocity-factor/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/11/fast-video-covers-coax-velocity-factor/
We once saw an interview test for C programmers that showed a structure with a few integer, floating point, and pointer fields. The question: How big is this structure? The correct answer was either “It depends,” or “sizeof(struct x).” The same could be said of the question “What is the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/11/fast-video-covers-coax-velocity-factor/)
Extreme Refurbishing: Amiga Edition
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/11/extreme-refurbishing-amiga-edition/
The last Amiga personal computer rolled off the assembly line in 1996, well over 20 years ago. Of course, they had their real heyday in the late 80s, so obviously if you have any around now they’ll be in need of a little bit of attention. [Drygol] recently received what …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/11/extreme-refurbishing-amiga-edition/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/11/extreme-refurbishing-amiga-edition/
The last Amiga personal computer rolled off the assembly line in 1996, well over 20 years ago. Of course, they had their real heyday in the late 80s, so obviously if you have any around now they’ll be in need of a little bit of attention. [Drygol] recently received what …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/11/extreme-refurbishing-amiga-edition/)
How to make a living with Embedded Systems
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/how-to-make-a-living-with-embedded-systems/
One of the biggest dreams anyone has is to make a living doing what they love. For all hackers, makers, and DIYers with a passion for embedded systems, it may make sense initially to pursue embedded systems design as a possible career, but without so much information on the types …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/how-to-make-a-living-with-embedded-systems/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/how-to-make-a-living-with-embedded-systems/
One of the biggest dreams anyone has is to make a living doing what they love. For all hackers, makers, and DIYers with a passion for embedded systems, it may make sense initially to pursue embedded systems design as a possible career, but without so much information on the types …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/how-to-make-a-living-with-embedded-systems/)
Make Your Own Plasma Cutter
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/make-your-own-plasma-cutter/
Of all the tools that exist, there aren’t many more futuristic than the plasma cutter, if a modern Star Wars cosplay if your idea of futuristic. That being said, plasma cutters are a powerful tool capable of making neat cuts through practically any material, and there are certainly worst ways …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/make-your-own-plasma-cutter/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/make-your-own-plasma-cutter/
Of all the tools that exist, there aren’t many more futuristic than the plasma cutter, if a modern Star Wars cosplay if your idea of futuristic. That being said, plasma cutters are a powerful tool capable of making neat cuts through practically any material, and there are certainly worst ways …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/make-your-own-plasma-cutter/)
Dealing with Missing Pin Allocations
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/dealing-with-missing-pin-allocations/
Blindsided by missing pin allocations? Perhaps you’re working on a piece of hardware and you notice that the documentation is entirely wrong. How can you get your device to work?
[Dani Eichhorn]’s troubles began when running an IoT workshop using a camera module. Prior to the work, no one had …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/dealing-with-missing-pin-allocations/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/dealing-with-missing-pin-allocations/
Blindsided by missing pin allocations? Perhaps you’re working on a piece of hardware and you notice that the documentation is entirely wrong. How can you get your device to work?
[Dani Eichhorn]’s troubles began when running an IoT workshop using a camera module. Prior to the work, no one had …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/dealing-with-missing-pin-allocations/)
Robotic Laundry Line Reels You In
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/robotic-laundry-line-reels-you-in/
It may not be a laundry-folding robot, but this robotic launders line build by [Radical Brad Graham] is pretty neat. He has a 75-foot hanging laundry line from his house to a woodshed, and decided to roboticize it using some bits that were lying around. The result is a simple …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/robotic-laundry-line-reels-you-in/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/robotic-laundry-line-reels-you-in/
It may not be a laundry-folding robot, but this robotic launders line build by [Radical Brad Graham] is pretty neat. He has a 75-foot hanging laundry line from his house to a woodshed, and decided to roboticize it using some bits that were lying around. The result is a simple …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/robotic-laundry-line-reels-you-in/)
The World’s Smallest Vacuum in an Altoids Tin
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/the-worlds-smallest-vacuum-in-an-altoids-tin/
There’s been a lot of Altoids tin hacks over the years, but a vacuum cleaner in a tin is something new. In [Toby Bateson]’s first project on Hackaday, he used simple household items to create a functioning vacuum cleaner to use for sucking crumbs out of your keyboard or paper …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/the-worlds-smallest-vacuum-in-an-altoids-tin/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/the-worlds-smallest-vacuum-in-an-altoids-tin/
There’s been a lot of Altoids tin hacks over the years, but a vacuum cleaner in a tin is something new. In [Toby Bateson]’s first project on Hackaday, he used simple household items to create a functioning vacuum cleaner to use for sucking crumbs out of your keyboard or paper …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/the-worlds-smallest-vacuum-in-an-altoids-tin/)
Flying Batteries for Drones
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/flying-batteries-for-drones/
Power is the bane of drone pilots. You’d like to fly longer which means a bigger battery. But a bigger battery will weigh more which leads to less flight time. You have to strike a balance and for most consumer drones that balance is about 20 minutes of flight time, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/flying-batteries-for-drones/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/flying-batteries-for-drones/
Power is the bane of drone pilots. You’d like to fly longer which means a bigger battery. But a bigger battery will weigh more which leads to less flight time. You have to strike a balance and for most consumer drones that balance is about 20 minutes of flight time, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/flying-batteries-for-drones/)
Using This Micro Deltesian is Easy For Children To Use
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/using-this-micro-deltesian-is-easy-for-children-to-use/
[Ekaggrat Singh Kalsi] submits this interesting printer he built for his daughter to use. He admits that the project started simply out of curiosity about the strange deltesian movement. In this configuration, the X and Z-axis are a delta mechanism while the Y-axis is a regular Cartesian bed on rails. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/using-this-micro-deltesian-is-easy-for-children-to-use/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/using-this-micro-deltesian-is-easy-for-children-to-use/
[Ekaggrat Singh Kalsi] submits this interesting printer he built for his daughter to use. He admits that the project started simply out of curiosity about the strange deltesian movement. In this configuration, the X and Z-axis are a delta mechanism while the Y-axis is a regular Cartesian bed on rails. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/using-this-micro-deltesian-is-easy-for-children-to-use/)
Quality Sound-Proof Cans From Personal Protective Equipment
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/quality-sound-proof-cans-from-personal-protective-equipment/
Working in a noisy office can be distracting. To combat the problem in his workplace [Rikard Anglerud] bought himself a pair of 3M ear defenders. They were good, but not quite good enough to completely extinguish the noise, so he inserted the drivers from a pair of cheap headphones and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/quality-sound-proof-cans-from-personal-protective-equipment/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/quality-sound-proof-cans-from-personal-protective-equipment/
Working in a noisy office can be distracting. To combat the problem in his workplace [Rikard Anglerud] bought himself a pair of 3M ear defenders. They were good, but not quite good enough to completely extinguish the noise, so he inserted the drivers from a pair of cheap headphones and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/12/quality-sound-proof-cans-from-personal-protective-equipment/)
DIY MIDI Looper Controller Looks Fantastic!
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/diy-midi-looper-controller-looks-fantastic/
Due to pedalboard size, complicated guitar pedals sometimes reduce the number of buttons to the bare minimum. Many of these pedals are capable of being controlled with an external MIDI controller, however, and necessity being the mother of invention and all, this is a great opportunity to build something and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/diy-midi-looper-controller-looks-fantastic/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/diy-midi-looper-controller-looks-fantastic/
Due to pedalboard size, complicated guitar pedals sometimes reduce the number of buttons to the bare minimum. Many of these pedals are capable of being controlled with an external MIDI controller, however, and necessity being the mother of invention and all, this is a great opportunity to build something and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/diy-midi-looper-controller-looks-fantastic/)
Not All 7-Segment Displays Are Electronic
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/not-all-7-segment-displays-are-electronic/
There are a variety of means by which numbers can be displayed from an electronic circuit, and probably the most ubiquitous remains the seven-segment display. Take seven LEDs, lamps, LCDs, VFD segments or mechanical flip-dot style units in the familiar rectangular figure eight, and your microcontroller or similar can display …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/not-all-7-segment-displays-are-electronic/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/not-all-7-segment-displays-are-electronic/
There are a variety of means by which numbers can be displayed from an electronic circuit, and probably the most ubiquitous remains the seven-segment display. Take seven LEDs, lamps, LCDs, VFD segments or mechanical flip-dot style units in the familiar rectangular figure eight, and your microcontroller or similar can display …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/not-all-7-segment-displays-are-electronic/)
Prusa Unveils New Mini 3D Printer, Shakes Up The Competition
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/prusa-unveils-new-mini-printer-shakes-up-the-competition/
For the last couple of years, consumer desktop 3D printer choices in the under $1,000 USD range have fallen into two broad categories: everything bellow $500 USD, and the latest Prusa i3. There are plenty of respectable printers made by companies such as Monoprice and Creality to choose from on …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/prusa-unveils-new-mini-printer-shakes-up-the-competition/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/prusa-unveils-new-mini-printer-shakes-up-the-competition/
For the last couple of years, consumer desktop 3D printer choices in the under $1,000 USD range have fallen into two broad categories: everything bellow $500 USD, and the latest Prusa i3. There are plenty of respectable printers made by companies such as Monoprice and Creality to choose from on …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/prusa-unveils-new-mini-printer-shakes-up-the-competition/)
Nixie Clock Failure Analysis, [Dalibor Farný] Style
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/nixie-clock-failure-analysis-dalibor-farny-style/
We’ve become sadly accustomed to consumer devices that seem to give up the ghost right after the warranty period expires. And even when we get “lucky” and the device fails while it’s still covered, chances are that there will be no attempt to repair it; the unit will be replaced …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/nixie-clock-failure-analysis-dalibor-farny-style/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/nixie-clock-failure-analysis-dalibor-farny-style/
We’ve become sadly accustomed to consumer devices that seem to give up the ghost right after the warranty period expires. And even when we get “lucky” and the device fails while it’s still covered, chances are that there will be no attempt to repair it; the unit will be replaced …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/nixie-clock-failure-analysis-dalibor-farny-style/)
Shapeshifter – An Open Source Drum Machine
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/shapeshifter-an-open-source-drum-machine/
With microcontrollers growing ever more powerful each new generation, things that were mere pipedreams before are now readily possible. The Shapeshifter drum machine is a perfect example.
Shapeshifter’s design is open-source, with everything available on Github for the curious musical tinkerers out there. The device is built around a PCB …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/shapeshifter-an-open-source-drum-machine/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/shapeshifter-an-open-source-drum-machine/
With microcontrollers growing ever more powerful each new generation, things that were mere pipedreams before are now readily possible. The Shapeshifter drum machine is a perfect example.
Shapeshifter’s design is open-source, with everything available on Github for the curious musical tinkerers out there. The device is built around a PCB …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/shapeshifter-an-open-source-drum-machine/)
Hackaday Links: October 13, 2019
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/hackaday-links-october-13-2019/
Trouble in the Golden State this week, as parts of California were subjected to planned blackouts. Intended to prevent a repeat of last year’s deadly wildfires, which were tied in part to defective electrical distribution equipment, the blackouts could plunge millions in the counties surrounding Sacramento into the dark for …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/hackaday-links-october-13-2019/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/hackaday-links-october-13-2019/
Trouble in the Golden State this week, as parts of California were subjected to planned blackouts. Intended to prevent a repeat of last year’s deadly wildfires, which were tied in part to defective electrical distribution equipment, the blackouts could plunge millions in the counties surrounding Sacramento into the dark for …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/hackaday-links-october-13-2019/)
What the Scale? Mouse teardown throws up a few surprises
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/what-the-scale-mouse-teardown-throws-up-a-few-surprises/
[Eric Weinhoffer] and his colleagues did a great comparative tear down of the MX Master 3 and the MX Master 2S mice from Logitech. Tear down’s are great fun and often end up teaching us a lot. Looking at the insides of a product can tell us a great deal …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/what-the-scale-mouse-teardown-throws-up-a-few-surprises/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/what-the-scale-mouse-teardown-throws-up-a-few-surprises/
[Eric Weinhoffer] and his colleagues did a great comparative tear down of the MX Master 3 and the MX Master 2S mice from Logitech. Tear down’s are great fun and often end up teaching us a lot. Looking at the insides of a product can tell us a great deal …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/what-the-scale-mouse-teardown-throws-up-a-few-surprises/)
Hacking Broken Plastic Parts without a 3D Printer
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/hacking-broken-plastic-parts-without-a-3d-printer/
We’ve all encountered the odd plastic part that is broken and unobtainable. Sure, 3D printers can print big replacement parts, but sometimes you just need to rebuild a very specific piece. [AkBkukU] shows off a technique for doing just that using a process you could almost call manual 3D printing. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/hacking-broken-plastic-parts-without-a-3d-printer/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/hacking-broken-plastic-parts-without-a-3d-printer/
We’ve all encountered the odd plastic part that is broken and unobtainable. Sure, 3D printers can print big replacement parts, but sometimes you just need to rebuild a very specific piece. [AkBkukU] shows off a technique for doing just that using a process you could almost call manual 3D printing. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/13/hacking-broken-plastic-parts-without-a-3d-printer/)
Get Dirty In Your Quest For Power!
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/14/get-dirty-in-your-quest-for-power/
A fascinating oddity in the list of potential alternative power sources is the microbial fuel cell, in which the chemical reactions of micro-organisms digesting their food are harnessed to harvest electrons and thus generate electrical current. We’d like to know more, so [Williamolyolson]’s soil microbial fuel cell is a particularly …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/14/get-dirty-in-your-quest-for-power/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/14/get-dirty-in-your-quest-for-power/
A fascinating oddity in the list of potential alternative power sources is the microbial fuel cell, in which the chemical reactions of micro-organisms digesting their food are harnessed to harvest electrons and thus generate electrical current. We’d like to know more, so [Williamolyolson]’s soil microbial fuel cell is a particularly …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/14/get-dirty-in-your-quest-for-power/)